Late September and October has been an interesting and dynamic moment in Edmonds birding. On September 22nd several Western Scrub-Jays (code 4) were among a flock of Steller?s Jays, feeding on acorns on the north side of the marsh. There was at least one subsequent sighting.

On September 24th, a subadult gull with a slate-colored mantle was found on the wharf roof at Haines Wharf Park in north Edmonds. Those who subsequently observed the bird have identified it as a Slaty-backed Gull. Others who have reviewed photographs have not been certain. (As Slaty-backed Gull is a review species for Washington, it has been submitted to the Washington Bird Records Committee. We will wait for its deliberations before adding this as a new species to our city checklist.) At the same time, a Ring-billed Gull (code 3) was found on the wharf roof and seen by several birders.

On a late migrant note, one of our local birders had an Olive-sided Flycatcher calling near his house on September 30th.

Seven Turkey Vultures (code 3) passed through Edmonds on October 1st. A single vulture was over the marsh on October 5th. Also at the marsh on same date was Western Meadowlark (code 4) and Northern Shrike (code 3). The shrike was seen again by two birders on October 8th.

A short-eared Owl (code 5) flew across the Sound, north of the ferry dock, on October 5th and was captured in a distant photograph. There was a subsequent sighting, with photographs, over the Sound of two more. This species will be revised to abundance code 4 on our next checklist since there are now more than five sightings. A Short-tailed Shearwater (code 5) was observed on October 3d. This was a sixth sighting of this species and we will be revising the abundance level to code 4.

A couple of flocks of Snow Geese (code 3) were seen flying over the Sound on October 3rd by more than one birder. On that same date Long-tailed Duck (code 3), Red-throated Loon (code 3), Black-bellied Plovers (code 4), and a Herring Gull (code 4) were seen.

A second subadult Broad-winged Hawk (code 5) was on the north side of the marsh on October 9th.

One Eurasian Wigeon (code 3) was among the American Wigeons at the marsh on October 10th.

A Cackling Goose (code 3) was at Civic Field on October 13th.

A young Sandhill Crane (code 5) was seen in the marsh on October 22. You can see two photographs of the bird here: https://www.flickr.com/groups/birdsofedmonds/ <https://www.flickr.com/groups/birdsofedmonds/> . It appeared to have moved on to the Montlake Fill where it was observed on two days. This was noted because of an injury on the left side of its face.

A Pomarine Jaeger (code 5) was seen from the waterfront on October 23.

A Dunlin (code 3) showed up in the marsh on October 27th. There have been sightings of one or two on subsequent days.

There are good numbers and varieties of waterfowl in the marsh. They are best seen at high water and early in the morning before they fly out for the day. Heermann?s Gulls are still present on the central waterfront and on the dock at Haines Wharf Park. As California Gull numbers are diminishing, Mew Gull numbers are increasing. There have been several sightings of Ancient Murrelets. Pacific Loons are back in the waters north of Sunset Avenue, often seen from there by scope or seen from the Water Street access. Duck and grebe species are also on the increase.

If I have counted correctly, our collective year list is at 184.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds